Memorial Day is a day for remembering and honoring military personnel who died in the service of this great country, as a result of wounds sustained in battle.

Which brings me to the first man who died valiantly fighting a battle of unimaginable proportions, Jesus.

He fought and died to save us from ourselves, our sinful nature, He walked with us, guided us, and loved us no matter the cost.

He taught us what it meant to be a soldier and how to fight the good fight, to run the race to the end and win the crown of victory with integrity.

{Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,2 looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3 For consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners against Himself, lest you become weary and discouraged in your souls.  Heb 12:1-3 (NKJV)}

Those who knew and worked closely with Jesus, later led many into the same battle to save souls, knowing they would sustain repeated injury, incarcerations, and even death.

{Still others had trial of mockings and scourgings, yes, and of chains and imprisonment.37 They were stoned, they were sawn in two, were tempted, were slain with the sword.  Heb 11:36-37 (NKJV)}

Apostle Paul even wrote about the many times he fought, was injured multiple times…even to near death, but emerged victorious.

{I am more: in labors more abundant, in stripes above measure, in prisons more frequently, in deaths often.24 From the Jews five times I received forty stripes minus one.25 Three times I was beaten with rods; once I was stoned; three times I was shipwrecked; a night and a day I have been in the deep;26 in journeys often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils of my own countrymen, in perils of the Gentiles, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren;27 in weariness and toil, in sleeplessness often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness--28 besides the other things, what comes upon me daily: my deep concern for all the churches. 2 Cor 11:23-28 (NKJV)}

To this day, the story of Jesus is a reminder that we are all soldiers under command of a great God, who sent His Son to lay down His life for His brother.

What a great reminder of what Memorial Day really is.

I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.8 Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing. 2 Tim 4:7-8 (NKJV)

Thank you to all those who fought and died for our freedom!

God Bless you all today,

Julia

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